Uses for Old Bangle BraceletsI've used old bangle bracelets (plastic and the types that clip) for many uses. It seems these bracelets wind up being given away by many who don't seem to wear them anymore.
Kid Friendly Gingerbread House TweaksGingerbread houses are HARD to make and way too tempting for kids to eat candy prematurely so I substituted the candy for dried bananas, dried apple rings, dried strawberries, plus plain and colored Cheerios for my twin grandsons to decorate their pre made houses with. You could "glue" on the pieces with organic peanut butter too!
Handy Storage for Post EarringsI used the empty plastic box my husband had bought assorted nails in for storage of my post earrings. Easy to see everything, snaps shut to avoid losing any items and FREE!
Ideas for Old Wallets and also Old Plastic Store CardsI have a two-fold idea for old wallets (you see so many at the garage sale tables) and old cards that you no longer use - (you know, the grocery store cards, etc.?)
From Rags To BlanketsThis is a art and craft project that transforms all of my old clothing, that is too worn to wear and too damaged to donate into warm blankets for my bed-in order to prevent the textiles from going to a land fill.
Paper Spider Web Halloween CraftHere is a video of my paper spider web project, I hope you will be inspired to make this simple Halloween decoration. I took the paper snowflake technique to make these paper spider webs. These look great taped up to a window, decoupaged to a jar or used as a craft activity with kids. You can make them in different sizes and if you want to make these more precise, use an exacto knife. A little word of advice be careful when cutting through multiple layers of paper. If you decide to do this with littles consider folding the paper less times.
Making a Recycled Toy Bike?When opening a can of food, cut the lid away from the bottom of the can. You will need two tin can lids. Next you will need around ten popsicle sticks before you can assemble the bike. Have fun.
How to Keep Strawberries Fresh For a WeekIn the area we live in, strawberry picking season will soon be over. They have been so good this year.
Five Benefits of Self Watering PotsSelf-watering pots, also known as sub-irrigation planters, offer several advantages for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Here are five benefits of using self-watering pots:
Vertical GardensCreating a vertical garden is a great way to maximize space and add a unique touch to your home. Here's a tip for setting up a vertical garden:
Repurpose Water From WasherLiving in a dry climate, I have found ways to recycle my water. It takes a lot of work, I'm not saying it's easy. Do you ever consider how much water your washer uses per load? Wash then rinse. With water rates increasing; I've found a way to use the water from my washer.
Keeping Squirrels Off Bird FeedersTake a very long sheet of tinfoil and crunch it up. Carefully pull it out into a long length, gently twisting it as you go. It should start looking like a very long, round, thick, silver snake.
Bottle Cap SculpturezMy tip is: Find art supplies in any trash can in America by using alternative materials. Oftentimes, the materials that I utilize are destined to end up in a landfill.
Watch For Faulty Surge Protector When ChargingMy phone died a slow death. The battery melted the casing, and the battery was too old to be replaced. When I replaced it, the whole phone, darn it, and charged up the new phone, I realized it was blazing hot! Even the wall adapter was hot. At first, I thought it was the wall adapter, tossed it, was too cheap. No, it was the bad surge protector. It was free to me, which probably meant it wasn't supposed to be used in the first place, oops. Well, I was penny wise and dollar foolish. Check your adapters. If they're hot, check what's causing that. I had to buy a NEW phone, gosh! Yes, I also bought a new case for it. Sue me for free, lol.
Good Use of Speaker PhoneMany times I make an important phone call and I'm put on hold. This can be very annoying and take up a lot of time. I'm probably the last person to realize this, however, I have started putting these calls on the speaker.
Finding it Hard to Drink Enough Water?Many people do not like water. It's plain and very simple. Even though it is a needed element to keep our bodies from becoming dehydrated. Many people just don't care for water. What can you do to help water taste better? Filtering it helps but the major way to change the flavor is to find some herbs (lavender or mint), vegetable slices (celery, ginger, or cucumber), or fruit (lemon, lime, strawberries, or grapefruit). The trick is to find ones you like to fuse with water and make them taste better for your consumption. Here are some other ways to help you get the water you need each day:
How To Clean 18K Gold ChainCleaning your 18K Chain gold is easy and can be done at home. Here are some steps you can follow:
Removing Jar And Bottle Label GlueSaving that jar or bottle for that special use you've found can be nice until you try getting all the label glue off it. Then it can be a pain. Not any more!
Fibrous, Filling and Fat Burning: Eating Carbs and Still Losing WeightThis time of year many are thinking of losing weight, changing diets, and looking for different foods to eat. Many dieters will shy away from carbs because carbs are seen as being the culprit in weight going up instead of down. But, doing away with carbs or eating the wrong ones can mean you may be robbing yourself of important nutrients.
Save Fuel When Cooking PastaUse a heat proof sieve or colander to cook pasta in the same pan as your vegetables
Glass Shaker ImprovementI love having cinnamon and sugar, powdered sugar, etc in a shaker on hand. Some problems I have come across are clumping, spilling and can attract critters. With my upgrade my shaker no longer has any of those problems.
Using Extra Cloth Shopping Bags In The FreezerI've found a great use for extra cloth shopping bags! I'm so glad that I couldn't find another post about this so that I could share a tip with everyone and finally "pay everyone back" who has helped me on this website for a change!
Fiber Is The WordDoes your diet contain complex carbs, lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber? Fish, lean meats such as beef or pork, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables include these needed nutrients. The body needs certain nutrients to help it remain healthy, lose weight, maintain weight, and live longer. Instead of counting and keeping track of calories, it might be easier to keep track of fiber. In doing so, you may begin automatically to look for foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruit which are usually lower in calories than other foods.
Game Score SheetsMy granddaughter loves to play games that keep score on paper and she mentioned to me that she needed to replenish her score sheets as she's out. So, I checked prices for score pads and noticed the price has climbed quite a bit since the last purchase. I put my thinking cap on and came up with a more cost effective idea to cut the cost and still play as often as she likes.
Start Bell Pepper Plants EarlyTo ensure a good crop of bell peppers, it is important to remember that they require a long growing season. You can start the seed now (2/25)
A Twist on Making HamburgersI love homemade hamburgers but I'm not partial to the thick, doughy store bought hamburger buns. To envelope my patty with all the fixings, I toast 2 slices of sandwich bread and cut them round using a 4 inch plate, bowl or most often my funnel.
Cheap and Practical Large Pin-up BoardWith post-it and memo notes all over my computer monitor and on my wall, my home office was rather cluttered looking. I needed a large board (cork?) but from Staples or an online vendor it would cost me $35 plus. Ingenuity came to the rescue.
Cake Mix Inner Bags For Freezing ChickenWhen it comes to fried chicken breast tenders, I like mine thin. My intent here was to use the cake mix bag just for pounding the tenders. Then it occurred to me that the bag itself would be ideal for freezing as well, and I have accumulated several over time.
Fix for Frozen Dog LeashesI keep hand sanitizer 80% alcohol by my door spray the clasp and my dog is good to go, it's a quick fix cause they gotta go!
Make Calendar Hanging EasierI take my calendar down a lot to write on and also to look back. The hole in the calendar for hanging is so small. This past year, using a hole punch, I punched a larger hole in it. With the larger hole, it makes taking it down and hanging it back up much easier. I have done the same with my 2023 calendar.
Losing Weight Without Being Able to ExerciseI was asked by a close family friend, how I lost weight. After a lot of thought about how to word everything, without hurting feelings I did my best to truthfully answer.
Kangaroo CookingAlways cook something for the next meal, with your current one: extra potatoes in broth, for cottage pie; extra stew, to chop up as pie fillings; extra rice, to make rice salad or tacos; extra fish, for patties; extra spaghetti, to cut up in soup; extra bolognese, to stuff baked aubergines or marrows, etc.
Gnome OrnamentsThese were so fun to make. I had everything on hand. Ideas for making hats and gnomes on Pinterest.
Changing The Color Of LED BulbsThe LED string lights I had were too cool for my taste and I also wanted to change to colored lights, so I colored each individual bulb with a permanent marker. It took some time to color each bulb, but I liked the end result. (I saved the snowflakes that were on the lights for another project.)
Christmas Tree Ornament Hanger For Hard To Reach BranchesI've been using this yardstick and BBQ fork for years to assist with hanging Christmas tree lights, ornaments, garland etc. on the hard to reach top branches of my Christmas tree. I used to try to hang things on the high branches by standing in a chair and leaning to reach the tall areas. The yard stick with the BBQ fork taped to the end of it is easy to use and handle when trying to manipulate strings of lights or whatever, right where you need it.
Check Your Neighborhood Facebook Group to Get Help During ChristmasFacebook has a bunch of groups that give away free things. If you do a search in the Facebook search bar look for; freecycle near me, or buy nothing near me. Depending on where you live there may even be a buy/swap group for parents to give/sell kids' clothes, toys, etc. In these types of groups, I have often found many generous people that are willing to help their neighbors in need or also give advice on where to get help locally.
Sharing Cherries with BirdsBirds are useful to cherry trees. they eat caterpillars, aphids etc. But of course they want their share of cherries as a reward and they sometimes take a very big share. To save your share, you have to lure the birds and here's how:
Darken Your Bedroom and Keep Out DraftsAfter our neighbors were vandalized, they installed outdoor motion detect cameras and flood lights. While I sympathize with their plight, I don't appreciate the blinding light that pours into my bedroom around the edges of my window treatments, keeping me awake.
Cooking and Baking with Substitute IngredientsI save all the crumbs from cereal in a bag in my freezer. I use these crumbs to supplement my flour in baking recipes. I also add them to a meatloaf, if the cereal was not pre-sweetened.
Eating More Legumes Helps Save MoneySalads have become quite a bit less costly around my place these past few months. I've stopped buying lettuce and have replaced it with Napa cabbage which pairs beautifully with mung bean sprouts which I've learned to grow. Three tablespoons of dry beans makes enough for two good-sized salads. The cabbage lasts about a month without turning brown or wilting, and one large head is still less expensive than a head of iceberg. Fresh sprouts are crisp and significantly more nutritious than lettuce.
Political Signs Make Great Knee PadsPolitical signs make great knee pads!! Let's get them off the roadsides and keep them out of the landfills. Thirty days after election day, they become litter.
Free Hands ChoppingTake a cutting board, a heavy rubber band (I save the rubber bands that come on broccoli bunches), and something you want to cutup (celery, squash, carrots, you get the idea). Take the rubber band and stretch it over the short side - slide it to one side to the left if you are cutting right handed and to the right if you are using your left hand. Take the celery, slide it under the rubber band and begin chopping. So easy! And you can use both hands to chop. Always use caution when using a knife.
Make Steel Wool Soap Pads Last LongerI cut mine in half. Then, after I use them, I store in a plastic sandwich bag with all the air squeezed out. Some people store the bag in the freezer.
Protect Paint Label While PaintingI purchased a quart of paint to do a job and used only 1/4 of the paint. I will be using it again soon.
Fresh Basil All Year LongYou can have fresh basil all year long. I grew basil from seed. It was in a pot and I brought it in. I froze and dried most of it and planted this.
Decorated Christmas WreathBought plain wreath clearanced at craft store and decorated myself with my other craft supplies. Also just learned how to make these bows with my fingers. I'm not very talented with different types of bows.
Pay Attention to the Price TagsNormally do you purchase your home air filter as needed or in bulk? At Home Depot, if you stop and look at the second set of numbers - it only makes sense to buy in bulk!
I'm a coffee drinker so when I go to Starbucks, it's often to get a drip coffee. I ordered this one day and the man behind me in line turned to his wife and said, "See, you can just order coffee." Black coffee drinkers definitely save money at Starbucks but there are some strategies that can make your Lattes and Frappuccinos less expensive too.
Storing Saran WrapKeeping saran wrap in the fridge keeps it from folding up on you as tearing off. Alleviates frustration.
Cereal Liners Instead of Waxed PaperThere used to be a show called Extreme Cheapskates on TV. One featured person said the cereal liners are better than waxed paper. I wash them off and put them on my refrigerator to dry. I use them to separate hamburgers, pancakes and waffles for freezing. I also use them to keep my counter cleaner if I am flouring chicken cutlets or kneading dough.
Flax Egg SubstituteWith the price of eggs soaring, a good substitute for cooking and baking is a flax egg. Use 1 Tbsp. of ground flaxseed meal and 2 1/2 Tbsp. of room temperature water for each egg. I refrigerate for 10 minutes or so.
Free Pill BoxesI love these little pill boxes they give out free at the pharmacy in Walmart where I get my prescriptions filled. They are white with raised letters and very good quality.
Use a Reacher for DustingReachers are useful after surgery and for the elderly. However, they are fantastic for dusting behind and under heavy furniture.
Halloween Dance Theme Ideas for Your Next PartyHalloween is just around the corner, which means that you need to start thinking about how you're going to celebrate this spooky holiday. Whether you're hosting a costume party, throwing a themed dance party, or simply dressing up in costume for trick-or-treating, we've got ideas to inspire you.
Day of the Dead Milk Gallon SkullHere is an easy and fun way to make a Day of the Dead, or most commonly known as Dia De Los Muertos, decorated skull. Simply use an empty and clean milk gallon jug with the handle facing forward. Use permanent markers or paint brushes and paint. You can also glue on glitter, etc. If you want to give it a cool effect at night, place a tea light on top as shown, or cut a hole at the bottom of the jug and insert it underneath. Enjoy !
Sofa Legs as PumpkinsHere is a cute and fun way to repurpose the legs off an old couch that will be discarded. Many are round shaped. Simply unscrew the legs, paint them, and put a ribbon on top. They are nice decorations for Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. They can be made into personalized handmade gifts, and balloon string holders too.
Provide More Detail When Asking Questions?This is for all the people who are asking questions about their items value or even what the product might be. Please take detailed photos: not just the side of a table but the top and underneath, not just view of a bed with sheets on it but take the sheets and mattress off. Look for and take pictures of the manufacturer if you can find it and/or serial number. Take pictures of details that could make a difference in the answer, although sometimes it may be near impossible to get a good picture. Explain what you have with measurements, color, age, how it has been used and possible age or at least how long you have known it.
Natural Ways To Keep Snails Away From Your GardenIf you grow vegetables in your garden, you need to protect the plants from snails. Snails eat all vegetables, especially greens, such as cabbage, spinach, chard and lettuce. Since they multiply quickly, they can do serious damage.
Markers and Pens HolderHere is very inexpensive way to organize your markers and pens. This product is advertised showing just paint brushes and colored pencils for $1.25 at Dollar Tree. However, I found it to be great to hold up to 49 markers or pens too!
Wearing An Ice PackWhen you don't have time to lay around on an ice pack, wear it.
Ice Water To GoEverywhere I look, I see people sipping water from a plastic bottle. I don't think they're that thirsty or hot. I think they're just trying to stay hydrated. I suppose that's a good thing.
How to Fix Candle Tunneling With FoilWhen you have wax buildup on the sides of a jar candle, it's called tunneling. If a candle was not burned for long enough the first few times it was lit, the wax that was melted will be softer, even after it hardens again. This is called the wax memory. Each time you relight your candle, this wax will be the first to melt, and then it will start melting downwards rather than outward. This video shows you a tip on how to fix this problem.
Five Money Saving Tips for Halloween CandyHalloween is just around the corner, which means that many people will be buying tons of candy for visiting trick-or-treaters. There are ways to save money on this year's haul without sacrificing quality. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for Halloween treats.
Rooting A Chinese Evergreen StemI have a large Chinese Evergreen with one stem that insists on growing horizontally rather than vertically. I remedied that problem with a sharp knife, a heavy beer mug and water.
How Long Does A Potato Take To Boil?Potatoes are a common root vegetable used in recipes all over the world. These starchy tubers must be cooked before being eaten. Boiling potatoes is an easy way to ensure they are ready for your table or to add to another dish. Potatoes can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the potato.
Olive Oil to Keep Gnats Out Of Your FaceIn the late afternoon, when I mow grass or work outside, gnats love to get in my face. I can't stand it. I read that you can put olive oil on your face and it will keep gnats off your face.
Upgrading Old FurnitureAfter 47 years of marriage and 22 years in this house, I'd love to be able to buy new furniture, but we just can't afford to right now. Our red floral couch had gotten really worn in spots, so I put a leather-look slipcover on it, but never really liked that look. However, my son and daughter-in-law just bought new furniture, so they gave us their leather couch.
Bin There Bin ThatWe use bins for everything! In the garage, the closets, the bathroom cupboards, craft supplies, electronics, the pantry etc. Then, we label them with the contents. Makes everything look so much better and it takes up less room because the bins are stackable.
Creative Container GardeningWait until you take a look at the different creative containers used for container gardening on a patio. I used colored bowls and plates, a lamp stand with a plastic container, two wooden crates, a strainer, a scale, a large tea pot, and a pedestal sink.
Replacing Tupperware With GlassThis may not go over well, but I have been getting rid of all my plastics. Instead, I have been saving all the glass pickle jars, jam jars, etc. I just didn't like throwing out all that glass. We are now a 2 person household, my husband and I. The Mt. Olive jars are just right for us. They hold a 2 serving amount of spaghetti sauce or beans. I cook a pound of dried beans and fill up jars and freeze. I wind up with 6 to 8 ready-made dinners. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for reading.
An Easy Way to Clean a Burnt SaucepanPlease note that I haven't tried this on a pan with a non stick coating. However, if your pan is so burnt that you'll have to throw it out, then you may decide it's worth a try.
Passing Car Smog Check (California)Last year, one of our cars did not pass smog the first time around. We had to pay the regular smog fees, then a retest fee when the car passed the second time around. It would have passed if we knew the basic knowledge so this year, we made sure our car will passed before going.
Shine Flashlight on Pipe to Check for Drain FliesDo you have a problem with gnats in the house? They could be breeding in your drains. If you have plastic pipes, you can check your drains by shining a flashlight behind the pipe. It lights up the drain.
Leave Seal on VitaminsWhen you open your vitamin bottle, only cut half of the paper seal away. It's easier to get just one vitamin out at a time that way. It also prevents excessive handling of the other vitamins in the bottle, as well.
Picking ButterbeansThis has been a hot, dry summer and the first year we have watered our garden. It has been a pretty one. My grandmother used to say, a dry June means a wet July. It seems that old saying is true because we have had a lot more rain this month.
Use a Drain Bucket When Washing Vegetables OutsideI use a drain pan in my kitchen quite often and I thought it would be good to have a drain bucket on hand when washing garden vegetables outside. It gets the excess water out.
Use Squeeze Bottles For CondimentsSandwiches are probably the most popular lunchtime staples. Who doesn't like a sandwich for a quick and easy lunch or snack? This tip applies to wraps too!
Forks to Keep Critters Away in the GardenThese past two years have been a challenge in the garden because of rabbits. I spent a lot of time and money with commercial sprays and powders. They did not work, even though I reapplied after watering and rain.
Reducing Food Costs and Avoiding DebtBudgeting is an integral part of personal finance and debt management. It requires proper allocation of money in all the categories to save money. Although purchasing food is necessary, if you're not attentive, it may also break your budget.
The Barn Swallows ReturnedLast spring, a pair of barn swallows built a nest in the corner of our porch. To help them, my husband put a piece of thin plywood up on the ledge to support the nest they were building. It was fun to watch them raise their babies.
Scrambled Eggs With Beet GreensFresh beets are the best, however, don't throw away those beet greens. They are good too and so good for you. I'm still experimenting with them and have found that they sauté well, much like spinach.
Bow DollsIt's what girls hang their hair bows on. There is ribbon all the way around the skirt that you put the bows on. If you run out of room, it has a long braid in the back and a mirror face so she can see to put the bow in her hair.
Find Seeds in Your Spice CabinetI used to purchase packages of dill seeds. I found out that the dill seed in my spice cabinet will sprout just as well as the commercial seeds. This will work with fennel, coriander, mustard and other spices.
Save Money on Parts at the DealershipMy car's starter needed to be replaced. An aftermarket car starter from Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, NAPA and comparable range from $250 to $430 - not new but rebuilt.
Fanny Pack for Clothespin BagI have an old fanny pack and have discovered it has multiple uses. I have been wanting an apron clothespin bag but just haven't gotten around to making one. After using my fanny pack for dropping seed, when planting the garden, I thought about using it for a clothespin bag. Hooked around my waist, it's so easy to get the clothespins out when hanging clothes on the line. This little bag will hold well over 60 clothespins.
Saving Money When Visiting Las VegasLas Vegas is a popular destination for many travelers, even if you don't enjoy gambling. There are all sorts of music events, museums, tournaments, fine dining and sightseeing options year round. Many businesses will hold conferences there, taking advantage of the lower airfare and bulk discounts for lodging. However, the costs can really add up if you are not careful. Here are some ways to avoid spending too much when you visit.
Aquafaba Substitute for EggsAquafaba is the liquid canned chickpeas come in. You can also make your own if you cook dried chickpeas. You can use aquafaba from other beans, but chickpeas have the mildest flavor.
Hanging Fitted Sheets On the ClotheslineI love being able to hang my sheets on the clothesline. To keep from stretching the elastic on my fitted sheets, I hang them with the elastic on the inside.
Save That Pillow CasingI have purchased several little pillows that are stuffed with tiny beads. I think the beads are Styrofoam. After several months of usage, the beads start to break down, leak out of the seams, and the pillow begins to go flat. Because of this, I have thrown some away which I felt was a big waste. The thought of saving the casing finally hit me.
Prevent Squirrels and Rats from Climbing Up Fruit TreesAre squirrels or rats bothering your garden especially your fruit trees? Try this free solution out. It has been working for us!
Tension Rod Wall SupportsTension rod wall supports I put up my tension rod. Twice, I hung my bags on it and it fell to the ground. I wished I had bought those screw in wall supports and then I thought I' will just go look in my plastic cap recycling bag. I found two that fit snuggly onto the ends, great! Now let's place them!
Music During Dental VisitNo one likes to go to the dentist and quite by accident, I discovered something I had done that made my visits more bearable. While waiting for my mouth to become numb, I was playing around with my phone and was listening to some music through my earbuds in high hopes it would help me relax.
Save on Eating OutWith rising food costs, every bit of savings when it comes to eating out is a win. A great tip for shaving off a few dollars on your next meal in (or out) is combining the savings from purchasing a discounted gift card from one of the gift card reseller sites and bundling the savings from that with a promo code/coupon. To avoid having to hunt for an active code, take advantage of browser extensions such as Honey which you'll need to download or the built in version on the Microsoft Edge browser. Using a discounted gift card with a promo code is a great way to save, especially if you have large orders.
How to Dispose of Mailing LabelsThis is a tip for those that don't put their name and address in the trash. We get lots of free mailing labels in the mail. When I have an excess, I pull them off, a bunch at the time, and roll them up sticky side out. The name and address are hidden, and they are ready to go in the trash. I think it would be almost impossible to get them untangled.
Keep Potatoes Fresher LongerTake potatoes out of their plastic bag. Double-bag then in paper, and close with a clip. Store in a cool, dry place for maximum storage time.
How To View All Tips On ThriftyFunI just learned how to view all the posts on Thriftyfun. Click on Menu. Look under Browse and click on All By Date. You will see a screen with a calendar at the top right-hand corner. Click on the highlighted dates and see what was posted on that date. It goes back to September 2000. Lots of fun to see.
